by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Port Authority’s proposed budgets, presented to its board of directors Monday, focused on growth and recovery.
The budgets presented to the port authority board of directors included a $53.5 million operating budget and a $123 million capital projects budget. Both were approved to be sent to the City Council for review.
The operating budget includes about a 6.5 percent increase from the 2010-11 operating budget, which runs Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, concurrent with the City’s fiscal year.
“It may seem a little robust, but we are predicting a healthy increase in automobiles,” said Michael Poole, chief financial officer for the port.
The port is projected to earn about $12.6 million from automobile shipping during 2010-11 and predicts about $14.5 million in 2011-12.
The capital projects budget will use local, state and federal funds to make improvements.
Some of the major projects include Blount Island wharf rehabilitation, which will cost $30 million, with half from the state and half from the port.
Other projects are railroad infrastructure rehabilitation at $7 million, with $6 million in federal dollars and $1 million from the port, and wharf rehabilitation at Talleyrand Marine Terminal at $5 million, the state paying $2.5 million and the port matching those funds.
The port also has $40 million in state funds budgeted for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mile Point study and improvements.
The board also received good news from Executive Vice President Roy Schleicher about developing business for the port.
“SeaFreight Line, based out of Miami, comes into Jacksonville with business from the (Dominican Republic). They started a new Central American service where we are getting pineapples, produce and some frozen beef, which is very important because it’s a whole new trade lane for us,” said Schleicher.
The board of directors also elected new officers. Buck Fowler will move from vice chair to chair. Reginald Gaffney will move from secretary to vice chair. Stephen Busey was appointed treasurer and James Citrano was appointed secretary.
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